Music of the Week: September 2, 2022: Johnny Cash: The Legend of John Henry’s Hammer

“When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music.
Which of you would be a reed, dumb and silent, when all else sings together in unison?

Work is love made visible.” ~ Kahlil Gibran

It is Labor Day in the United States and Canada—a public holiday celebrating the achievements of workers, not only in terms of labor rights and workers’ rights, but in particular in terms of the value of our daily work and lifetime achievements that contribute to family wealth and to human civilization. Without meaningful work by the individual, there will be no culture or evolution of society. Each person by their daily work contributes their share to a greater culture of life and freedom that can give birth to the historical achievements, breakthrough inventions, and perennial works of art that truly signify what it means to be human.

Today, and with this Music of the Week, we honor your work.

Related:

The Legend of John Henry

Labor Day on Wikipedia

Johnny Cash homepage

views:

One Comment

  1. Has anyone else listened to Garth Brooks’ song “Man Against Machine” from the same name titled album (released in 2014)? He mentions John Henry a couple of times in the chorus. – It’s not a typical country song at all. He opened his 2014-2017 concerts with it. There are quite a few of his songs and other work that seem prescient.

    Papa
    They’re waiting just outside my door
    This is where I make make my stand
    ‘Cause I can’t stand it anymore

    Papa
    They have no heart and soul
    But make no doubt about it
    They’re the ones that’s in control
    So prepare yourself for a war unlike you’ve ever seen
    This is man against machine

    (Work, Work, Work)

    Day in day out
    Bust your back and turn it out
    Next morning and do it all again
    Hard job or two
    So your children won’t have to
    That’s just the way its always been
    But lately I swear the machines
    Are living the American dream

    Careful calculations
    Details drawn down to design
    Is it really for the better or a better bottom line
    Don’t know me from Adam
    Man it’s rotten to the core
    Strongly get reminded man has kicked its ass before
    John Henry’s about to show on the scene
    In this war of man against machine
    Work
    Work
    Work
    Work

    Up early up hills
    Spend your youth to pay the bills
    Each generation makes a trade
    Top floor brass tacks
    Holds the hand that holds the ax
    Acts like my dues have not been paid
    But pay attention now when I say
    Full automation isn’t happening today

    Careful calculations
    Details drawn down to design
    Is it really for the better or a better bottom line
    You don’t know me from Adam and it’s rotten to the core
    It’s gonna get reminded man has kicked its ass before
    John Henry’s about to blow off some steam
    In this war of man against the machine
    Work
    Work
    Work
    Work
    Work
    Work

    Papa
    The power’s off, the machines are down
    In this world of darkness
    I can still hear a sound

    Papa
    That sound tears us apart
    ‘Cause I’m a machine myself
    But I am one with a working heart

    Careful calculations
    Details drawn down to design
    Is it really for the better or a better bottom line
    Don’t know me from Adam
    Man it’s rotten to the core
    It’s gonna get reminded man has kicked its ass before
    The gloves are off, no love lost between
    In this war of man against the machine

Comments are closed.